Castagnate chestnut festivals in October in Lunigiana

In the enchanting setting of the village of Filetto, a municipality of Villafranca in Lunigiana, the “Castagnata” is held every Sunday in October, from 2 pm until late in the evening. You can taste local chestnuts, along with other typical recipes such as specialties cooked in “testi” baking dishes, herb cakes, “pattone” chestnut flour cakes and much more.

It is a traditional festival that talks about the cooking of “mondina” chestnuts, all the specialties derived from them and the preparation of Lunigiana dishes in the famous “testi” baking dishes. The event is accompanied by the unmissable antiques market.

At the Parco Fiera di Barbarasco, in the municipality of Tresana, the Polenta and Chestnut Festival will take place on Sunday 5 and Sunday 12 October. The festival offers a lunch at 12.30 pm with typical Lunigiana cuisine, based on wild boar, polenta and chestnuts. Throughout the day, various typical local dishes and specialties will be offered. such as “mondine” chestnuts and “castagnaccio” chestnut flour cake.

On Sunday 5 October, the “Fiera d’Autunno” (Fall Fair) will be held at the Parco Fiera di Barbarasco (Tresana). The event is dedicated to the typical fall products of Lunigiana and in particular to chestnuts, which can be purchased both fresh and dried and also in the form of flour. Local producers will also have stalls displaying other specialties, such as corn flour, spelt, Marocca di Casola (chestnut-based bread) and PDO honey from Lunigiana.

The traditional “Castagnata” chestnut festival will be held in the distinctive and welcoming Gardens of the Teatro della Rosa theater in Pontremoli, every Sunday in the month of October, from 11 am to 7 pm. To accompany the event, a market will be set up where you will be able to buy chestnuts and taste seasonal products.

This unmissable event will take place in the charming village of Licciana Nardi, where you can taste chestnut-based delicacies for two weekends (October 11-12 and 18-19), while listening to fascinating stories, enjoying lively music and losing yourself in a joyful, friendly atmosphere. A unique historical reenactment that tells the story of the chestnut.

The 16th edition of the Chestnut Festival will be held on Sunday, October 12, in Mozzano, in the municipality of Fivizzano. From 12 noon, it will be possible to taste typical local products such as “mondine” chestnuts, “cian” (a sweet chestnut flatbread) and “pattone” (chestnut flour cakes) while sipping hot mulled wine or beer.

On Sunday, October 19 in the Apennine village of Regnano, the municipality of Casola in Lunigiana will host the traditional and original Festa della Polenta di Castagne (Chestnut Polenta Festival). A gastronomic experience offering sweet polenta accompanied by cheeses, Ossobuco (braised veal shanks) and Baccalà (codfish), enriched by Cian (a type of Necci, a chestnut flour galette), Mondine (Caldarroste, being roasted chestnuts) and sweets, all made from chestnut flour. In the afternoon comes an immersion into the world of chestnuts with visits to chestnut groves, smoke dryers and re-enactment of the ‘pounding’ of dried chestnuts. Also in the village is the Marocca di Casola bakery, a Slowfood Presidium for chestnut bread.

Each year for Ognissanti (All Saints’ Day), the streets and farmyards of the Sassalbo village are enlivened with an extensive festival in honor of chestnuts. At 2822 feet (860 meters) above sea level, home of the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park, the community will welcome you with Cian, Castignacci, Padeletti and Mondine—all made with chestnut flour produced in the village, where you can visit the smoke dryer and stroll along the beautiful stone mule track surrounded by extensive chestnut orchards and admire the boulder-strewn peaks of the Apennines.